Modern home office furniture

Work in style…

Office spaces needn’t be boring and corporate-seeming. With the use of bright colours and a little imagination, they can be places you’ll actually want to be.

We’ve styled this pink, white and black home office with Danetti furniture, and a few plants and accessories to show you how to get a modern look – whether you want to create an office for your home, or for a more formal, commercial environment.

HOW WE GOT THE LOOK:

DESK: The Fern white desk, available from Danetti. BUY

CHAIR: Pink and white Sweet office chair, available from Danetti. BUY.

POSTER AND CLOCK: The flower clock and ‘Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff’ poster, both available from Hunky Dory Home

PLANT: Available to hire or buy from Interior Plant Scapes.

SIDEBOARD: The Santino 3-door sideboard with gloss finish black doors. BUY

At Danetti we’re used to helping people furnish their homes – both big and small, and we love the challenge of sourcing items that will help to make your living space a much nicer place to be.

We thought we’d draw your attention to a few of our pieces that are either so neat in proportion that they look good even in tiny flats, and also to a couple of our multi-functional products that save space because they can be used for different purposes.

Bodil sofa with metal arms

COMPACT SEATING

First up, we wanted to show you the Bodil sofa – it’s fantastic for small living rooms because it doesn’t have the enormous padded arms that you find on many sofas, which can take up a metre of your valuable space if you’re not careful – instead it has neat metal arms. The seat and back rest is just as comfortable as a regular sofa though.

Emery contemporary nest of tables

OCCASIONAL TABLES

Next, a modern nest of tables – the Emery set – which are very useful in small homes. While you may think of nests of tables as something your grandmother used to have for putting bowls of peanuts around the living room at Christmas time, they’ve moved on, and are still actually a  useful thing to have if you need extra surfaces when you have people over, but want them out of the way the rest of the time. The Emery nest of tables is fantastic value for money and has three tables, each with a chrome frame and glass top.

The stackable Silvi plastic bar stool

STACKABLE STOOLS

If it’s seating that you need, then consider bar stools – these Silvi plastic bar stools are cool, contemporary and great value for money, plus they’re stackable so they’re a great temporary seating solution if you have a party or friends over, but can be compactly stored when not in use.Generally, bar stools can be a very good idea if you have a small home. When teamed with a wall-mounted slim-line bar table, they can provide you with somewhere to sit for meals without taking up much floor space.

The versatile Somen coffee table - use as a table, for storage or as a stool

THREE-IN-ONE

Next, take a look at this tri-purpose product – it’s a stool, table and storage unit all in one! The Somen coffee table can be opened to store magazines, toys, blankets, or whatever you like, and it can be flipped over to make a comfy padded stool. It’s ideal for modern homes, and it’s a very popular option for our commercial clients as well, as it’s ideal for bars and clubs.

The Pollock multi-form extending table - closed

SHAPE SHIFTER

Flexibility is important in a small home – sometimes you’ll need a large dining table, but probably not all the time, and when you don’t need one, you don’t want it dominating your room. A great option is to go for an extending table. The Pollock Multiform table is amazing because it can be used as a coffee table, extended to make a formal dining table , or even just half extended, so you have two separate surfaces – great for parties!

The Pollock multi-form extending table - open

Regina round dining table

Whether it’s just you and the kids for dinner every night, or whether you like to entertain in your home, there’s no doubt that one of the main purposes of eating together is to have a good chat.

If you want to encourage conversation at home, then a round dining table is the best choice. Guests can all see each other and can talk easily to those next to them as well as those across the other side, and it’s a much more relaxed setting – when did you ever go to a job interview and sit at a round table?

Round dining tables can look really attractive too. Since most rooms are square or rectangular, a circular table can help to soften the lines in the space and make it more interesting. They are easy to decorate – place mats layered up with different sizes of plates can look very effective, as can small arrangements of flowers or candles in the centre of the table, although you have to make sure that you’re not blocking people’s view of the other diners.

Most of our circular dining tables are ideal for four people – if you want a table that you can fit more people on, then you might like to consider getting a table with a central support, rather than legs so that people can position themselves anywhere around the table.

In terms of space, a table of 1300mm diameter will easily fit four people, six if there’s a central base. We’d advise leaving a metre all the way around your table to allow for chairs and space for people to walk around the table.

At Danetti we’ve got a great selection, from solid wood dining tables to glass-topped tables and lots of man-made options, including laminated plywood and plastic. You can use our dining table selector tool to find the table that fits all of your requirements.

Potenza dining table from Danetti

We’ve all done it; been on a weekend break to some posh country house, filled with luxurious modern furniture like velvet sofas, quilted chairs and glamorous glass coffee tables; and come back deciding we’d actually like to recreate the look in our own home.

This year, the modern country house look is actually one of the key interiors trends, so we thought we’d try to help you get it just right with the use of Danetti products.

Romford dining chair from Danetti

Firstly, it’s important to invest in the basics – everything should be solid and well made. You want to give the impression that these pieces of furniture are modern classics, not fads. Opt for chairs with solid wood legs, sofas with quality upholstery that will last, and large tables that are suitable for a grand family dinner.

Selection of red cushions, from Marks & Spencer

Secondly, light, airy, slightly faded colours can work very well, as can rich red tones, so opt for duck egg blue, lemon, plum, grey and cream in some rooms and a sophisticated red, grey and black colour palette in other rooms. Add sparkle and grandeur with metallic accessories, modern chandeliers and glass tables.

Blankets from Melin Tregwynt

Thirdly, dress the space well – use lots of plump cushions in living spaces and crisp white bed linen layered up with blankets in the bedrooms. You should also adorn the walls with individual pieces of interesting art and sculpture that look like they have taken a  lifetime to collect.

Soho Modular sofa from Danetti

Lastly, don’t be afraid to mix classic period features like ornate bannisters and fireplaces with simple, clean, modern furniture – that way you won’t feel like you’re living in a museum, but rather a wonderful, modern and dynamic home that’s perfect for the 21st century – that is really the essence of the modern country house look.

Keto TV table, from Danetti

Silvi stools for outdoor use

After a bitter winter, the UK is finally experiencing some beautiful weather, and we have started getting lots of enquiries from interior designers and business owners who are looking to furnish outdoor commercial spaces such as restaurant terraces, pavement cafes, beer gardens and hotel grounds.

They’re always delighted with the range we have to offer – from the simple and elegant, to the quirky and bright, we’ve got something for all locations and budgets.

We thought we’d select a few of our favourite pieces, and showcase them here in the blog, but if you want to see the whole range of outdoor seating or outdoor tables, just click through!

Bora cafe table for outdoor use

BEST CHAIR FOR STACKING

The silvi low stool (above) is simple and doesn’t take up too much space, yet it’s very design-led and funky looking. It comes in a great range of bright colours too, making it one of our favourites.

BEST TABLE

The Bora Cafe table is designed by Miki Astori and actually created primarily for cafes and restaurants. Because it’s made from a hard-wearing polyethylene, it’s suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

Podo multi-coloured plastic dining chairs

BEST FOR ADDING BOLD COLOUR

The Podo plastic dining chair is made from Polypropylene, which is suitable for outdoor use, and it comes in many colours including white, black, red, orange, yellow, green and blue. We love the idea of an outdoor space using a  rainbow of colours – it would be a real talking point and make your outdoor space a lively, fun place to be.

BEST FOR DESIGN STATEMENT

The loop armchair (below) is one of our priciest pieces of outdoor furniture, but it’s so worth it. Your customers will instantly recognise the quality of this piece, and it will reflect very well on your business. It’s designed by Ron Arad, and certainly doesn’t abide by the typical rules of chair design – and that’s what makes it so attention-grabbing.

Loop designer armchair

1. The single girl

Role model: Carrie Bradshaw

The brief: You’re living on your own, but you like to have the girls over for cocktails and dinner parties. You want a dining table that’s fashionable, modern and fits in with your feminine apartment. It can’t be too big because you’re short on space.

The solution: The Naro round white table is very feminine, just right for about four of you to have drinks and dinner around, and the relatively small size and the light colouring means it doesn’t take up too much room or make the space look cluttered – and it can be pushed into a corner and used as a lamp table when you’re home alone.

Naro round white table

2. The single guy

Role model: Robert Patterson

The brief: You’ve got the ultimate bachelor’s pad – lots of dark colours and wood. You sometimes have your mates round for pizza and like to be able to turn on the charm occasionally and cook a romantic dinner for a lady you’re trying to impress.

The solution: Essen dark wood dining table (below). This dining table’s simple, sophisticated and modern, with chrome legs and a choice of table tops. For your bachelor pad we’d recommend the chocolate wood veneer.

Essen dark wood dining table

3. The couple without kids

Role models: Katy Perry and Russell Brand

The brief: It’s your first place together and you’re very keen on high end design and glossy contemporary furniture. You want a dining table that’s big enough for all your friends, and your family at Christmas time. You’re splitting the cost of the furniture so you’ve got a decent budget and want an investment piece.

The solution: The Gant large extending glass table. This glossy dining table is the epitome of chic, and will look great in your grown-ups-only home. It’s easily big enough to seat 10, so you’ll be the pair throwing all the dinner parties in your social circle.

Gant large extending glass dining table

4. The young parents

Role models: Charlotte Church and Gavin Henson

The brief: The little ones come first now, so you need a dining table that’s suitable for using with a high chair, and that won’t get ruined when food and drink is spilt on it (which it will be). The table should also look good in your home, which is young, bright and contemporary.

The solution: The Fern white gloss dining table in white. It’s simple, serviceable and solid – plus it’s laminated so spills can just be wiped clean.

Fern white gloss dining table

5. The extended family

Role models: The Geldofs

The brief: Some of the kids are still living at home, others have homes of their own, but regularly descend on your place expecting to be fed – often with their own children in tow. You want something family-friendly but elegant, and something that will match your home – which is a mix of contemporary and more traditional styles.

The solution: The Potenza dining table. This one’s available with a black or white lacquer frame with a glass top, which is just so elegant – the prefect celebration table, and the grown up kids will be envious of their trendy parents.

Potenza glass and lacquer dining table

6. The retirement years

Role models: Helen Mirren and husband

The brief: Your time is your own these days, the children all have their own places and only tend to come over at Christmas time. Ideally you’d like something flexible, that’s perfect for just the two of you to have an evening meal together, but that can be extended if you have friends or family to eat with you. You home is conservative but modern, with lots of light wood.

The solution: The Galaxy extending wooden table. It’s contemporary yet not too minimalist, and the light wood will look great in your home. When you have guests, extend it to the max, when it’s just the two of you, fold it up. Simple and practical.

Galaxy extending dining table

Beautiful wood, oak bar stool

As the weather warms up and we throw open our windows and back doors, it seems a shame to keep our living space and the outdoors totally spearate.

By introducing some natural wood furniture into your home, you’ll feel like you have a little piece of the outdoors around you at all times.

Here at Danetti we’re kind of obsessive about quality wood furniture, from huge solid wood dining tables to compact bar stools, we’ve got the very best for sale on our site. If you want items that are easy to maintain then we have wood veneer chairs which are laquered, while other pieces are solid wood and if they are treated with care can become the heirlooms of the future.

Other tips for bringing the outdoors in include floral and leaf prints, tones of green and lemon, and large plants. In combination with natural wood furniture, you will even feel like it’s summer all year round.

Compton Oak coffee table, solid and sturdy

Clio wooden dining chair

We’ve got seven secrets which are well worth considering if you’re short on space but want to be tall on style.

Keep your backdrop neutral with use of white or cream or block colours on walls and furniture

1. Keep it plain and neutral.

It’s tempting to use fancy wallpaper and bright colours when decorating, but once you introduce your furniture and the inevitable clutter of every day life, your small rooms will start to look tiny. The best option is to use white or ivory paint and furniture in block colours to create a blank canvas, then hang interesting art and introduce pattern on soft furnishings.

2. Use a rug.

Although you may not have much floor space, a neutral, light rug can actually help to open up a room and create the optical illusion of space, especially if you choose one that fits easily within the centre of the room. You can use it to ‘anchor’ your furniture, which is helpful if you’re pushing it all to the walls to create space.

Armless sofas, like the Delta modular seating collection, can save space

3. Go armless.

It may not seem like something that would make a huge difference, but it our experience choosing armless furniture can help to create an airy, uncluttered look, and give the illusion of more space. At Danetti, we’ve got chairs and sofas without arms, so you’ll be spoilt for choice.

4. Create distinct areas.

If you have a studio flat or a room that you have to use as a living and dining space, it can help if you mark off the different areas with use of furniture as a ‘barrier’. For example, by letting your sofa ‘float’ in the middle of the room, with its back to the dining or bedroom space is a good way to fence off the living room.

Sideboards and console tables, like this Santino 2-door sideboard, can be used behind sofas to make use of all your available space

5. Use furniture cleverly.

‘Floating’ sofas may be good for defining your space, but they leave a wide expanse of boring sofa-back exposed, which is wasted space. Use this by positioning a console table or wide cabinet behind the sofa. It’ll be good for lamps and other home accessories, provide useful storage and can be used as a buffet table if you have guests.

6. Use your walls.

If floor space is sparse, look upwards for inspiration with wall-mounted cupboards and bookshelves. Just make sure they are always neat and tidy of you’ll be creating an eye-sore.

7. Keep clutter at bay.

Sometimes there’s just not room for everything, so you’re going to have to be ruthless and throw away the things you really don’t need. For everything else, make sure you have a place for it to go. Dig out all the piles of paperwork and newspapers you’ve been keeping around the place and have a thorough sort out, then file away what you’re keeping in a cabinet.

Luxury leather sofa from Danetti - neutral and hard-wearing, making it perfect for rental properties

If you have a luxury property that you want to rent out, furnishing it with contemporary sofas, chairs, tables and accessories can help to ensure a quick let and could even allow you to charge more for your property.

The majority of tenants looking at high-end properties want cool, statement furniture, that’s minimalist enough for them to be able to put their own stamp on the property, but comfortable enough for them to feel at home.

We chatted to Marc von Grundherr, who’s Residential Lettings Director at London lettings agency Benham & Reeves to get  his views on the best furniture for luxury lets.

He’s convinced that the furniture you choose can have a huge impact on the speed with which your property will be snapped up by tenants.

“Quality contemporary furnishings are a pre-requisite for letting high-end rental properties. The letting market is extremely competitive with increased supply, particularly in new developments, and more cost-conscious tenants,” he says.

The Drada dining table from Danetti - ideal for luxury rental properties

“As a general rule, unfurnished properties take up to 30% longer to let and in some instances we have seen rent reductions of as much as 40% just to secure a tenant because a property has not been presented in good enough condition to meet the tenants’ expectations.”

Don’t put youself in this position – make sure you have the whole property furnished in a co-ordinating contemporary way – not forgetting the sofa, dining table, dining chairs, beds, and smaller items like lamps and even art work.

Marc says that for a high end property to stand a chance of being let quickly at full market rental then it needs to be furnished to a high standard. “If the property is in a block with others coming on stream at the same time, the furnishings must really stand out from the crowd – this may not get you an increased rental but it will attract a tenant more quickly. Some Landlords make the mistake of going for cheap budget furniture packages but we really would recommend that they do their homework and use a company that specialises in furnishing rental properties. Anything not well furnished will simply not let or will receive substantially reduced offers.”

So there you have it, an expert in the residential lettings field recommending that you don’t try to pull the wool over potential tenants’ eyes by buying cheap furniture – they’ll see straight through it.

At Danetti, much of our furniture is sourced from Europe and quality and design are our priorities when choosing pieces, so prospective tenants are sure to be impressed.

Coco A Frame bar stool - a statement piece of furniture

We pressed Marc to tell us which particular types of furniture are the most popular with tenants in the luxury rental market, and he told us that designer furniture is always popular. He also recommends adding a statement piece of furniture for the wow factor.

As for colour: “Neutral colours are still popular as a backdrop,” he says, while “dramatic and dark decor and furnishings are only really advisable is you’re looking for single male occupants” – the typical bachelor’s pad.

“Modular sofas are still fashionable and leather is always a good option as it’s hard wearing,” says Marc. And although the minimalist look is still popular, you have to be careful not to take that too far, because you want to create an interior that someone can instantly see themselves living in.

Marc von Grundherr, Benham & Reeves

Marc von Grundherr is Residential Lettings Director for London Letting Agency Benham & Reeves, www.brlets.co.uk

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Etti extendable dining table

1. Should you go for round, square or rectangular? Round dining tables are thought of as very sociable as everybody can talk to each other. Square dining tables are great for fitting into small corners of a room, so they’re a good option for flats, and a great solution if you don’t normally have to seat more than four people. Rectangular dining tables can seat a lot of people, so are ideal if you like to entertain, and the straight edges mean they use space efficiently.

2. How much space do you have? There’s no point cramming a large table into a small space – it will be difficult for people to get into their chairs and the room will appear smaller than it is. You’re better off opting for a table that allows you to have a metre all the way around, so diners can comfortably pull out their chairs to sit down and you can walk around the table easily even when people are seated.

3. Do you want the table to be multi-purpose? Many of us use the rooms in our home for lots of different things these days. You may want your dining table to double up as a desk for your children to study at, or for working from home – int his case, you need to make sure it’s super sturdy and hard-wearing. You may even want your table to double up as a coffee table. We have the solution at Danetti: the coffee table that folds out to become a dining table.

4. What’s your interiors scheme like? Perhaps you have a minimalist scheme and you want to follow this through in your choice of dining table, or perhaps you want the table to be a focal point and stand out from the rest of your scheme with use of colour, or of natural wood. Perhaps you have a bright and cluttered interior and the table needs to be simple, for example in white or glass with clean lines, so the overall effect is not too busy. At Danetti we can help you – talk to us about what you have in your home already and we can make some suggestions.

5. Who will be using the table? Perhaps there are just two of you, so you only need a bistro table, or perhaps you have lots of children, in which case you’ll need a large serviceable table that can be wiped clean. If you like to entertain, a glass dining table can look very impressive and twinkly when laid with glassware and expensive crockery.

6. What chairs do you have? This is an important consideration, as you not only need to match the style of the chairs with the table, but the height must be suitable as well so you’re not having to bend or stretch to reach your plate. We think that leather dining chairs work well with most contemporary dining tables, especially glass ones.

Ocus dining table as used in a kitchen-diner

7. Is the table to be placed in a room on its own, or in a kitchen-diner or living-room-diner? For kitchen-diners you have two options – create a harmonious look with very streamlined, functional looking dining furniture, or create a clear division between the cooking area and the dining area with the use of soft textures and curvy lines on your chairs and dining table. The same goes for the living-dining-room, you could try to match the dining furniture to the sofa, or create a contrasting look.

8. What’s your budget? At Danetti we stock dining tables ranging from just over £100 to in excess of £2,000, so we will be able to find you something that’s good value for money whatever you’re looking to spend. Café-style tables tend to be the cheapest, while large, extendable tables will be at the top end.

Galaxy extending dining table - great for flexibility

9.What’s your dining style? Perhaps you’re someone who likes to catch a quick bite before going out every night of the week, or maybe you prefer to organise lavish parties and invite friends and family over to yours for five course meals with all the trimmings. There’s no point taking up room in your home with a table that you will never use, so make sure that your choice fits your lifestyle. Extendable tables are a good solution for those who only entertain occasionally.

10. Do you plan to use the table outdoors? Some of our tables are so hard-wearing that they can be used both indoors and outdoors. This is a good option for those with smaller homes, where storage of outdoor furniture is a problem during the colder months. There’s no need to have separate furniture for in and out!

We hope this guide to buying a dining table has been useful and that it has given you some food for thought. If you need more help we are just a phone call away! Contact us.